Rs 220-Crore Rajasthan High Court Building Faces Collapse Threat, IIT Bombay Flags Unsafe Dome

Jodhpur: The Rajasthan High Court building in Jodhpur, constructed at a cost of around Rs 220 crore and inaugurated in 2019, has been declared unsafe in parts after structural audits flagged serious defects in its central dome, raising concerns over the safety of judges, lawyers, staff and visitors.

An IIT Bombay report has reportedly found the central dome to be unsafe and warned of the risk of concrete spalling and potential collapse. The assessment has prompted the Rajasthan High Court to order urgent safety measures, including barricading the affected area and round-the-clock monitoring.

The court has also directed authorities to establish a control room and maintain 24-hour surveillance of the vulnerable structure.

The structural audit found rusting and concrete spalling at several portions of the dome. According to the findings placed before the court, nearly 40% of the dome area is vulnerable to concrete spalling. The deterioration has reportedly been linked to moisture ingress, carbonation and chloride exposure, which could accelerate corrosion of the reinforcement.

An IIT Jodhpur assessment has also highlighted cracks, corrosion and defects in the building's waterproofing system.

The concerns are particularly significant as the building is only around six years old. Reports indicate that incidents involving the collapse of portions of the roof, plaster and false ceiling have been occurring since 2023.

A repair estimate of approximately Rs 57.65 crore has been prepared to address the structural deficiencies.

Taking serious note of the situation, the Rajasthan High Court observed that “such negligence cannot be tolerated” and directed senior government officials to appear personally before the court on August 24.

Those summoned include the Rajasthan Chief Secretary, the Principal Secretaries of the Finance and Public Works departments, the Managing Director of the Rajasthan State Road Development and Construction Corporation (RSRDC), and the Director General of Police.

Representatives from IIT Jodhpur and IIT Bombay have also been asked to appear before the court and assist with the matter.

The court's immediate directives include restricting access around the vulnerable dome, ensuring continuous monitoring and putting emergency safety arrangements in place.

The developments have raised a major question over the construction and maintenance of a Rs 220-crore public building: How did a structure inaugurated in 2019 develop serious structural vulnerabilities within just six years?

The court's intervention is now expected to bring scrutiny on the building's construction, quality of materials, structural design, maintenance and the responsibility of agencies involved in its execution and upkeep.

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